Microwave Oven Door Assembly for Pyrolytic Cleaning and Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microwave oven doors with pyrolytic cleaning function lack aesthetic appeal, are difficult to clean, and have components with limited heat resistance, leading to thermal losses and safety concerns due to microwave radiation exposure.

Innovation Solution

The oven door design features a high-temperature resistant non-metallic cover element and textile sealing element, allowing pyrolytic cleaning and improved hygiene, with a snap-in mechanism for assembly and thermal insulation provided by a high-temperature resistant gasket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional microwave oven doors with pyrolytic cleaning function are used, then pyrolytic cleaning is enabled, but the door components have limited heat resistance and are difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly uses a composite structure combining high-temperature resistant ceramic material for the cover element, heat-resistant textile material for sealing, and glass panels for transparency. This multi-material approach enables both pyrolytic cleaning capability and ease of maintenance while maintaining aesthetic appeal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The door is divided into separate functional components: cover element, support element, wave choke, glass panels, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables easy replacement or cleaning of individual parts without disassembling the entire door

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If conventional microwave oven doors are used, then basic shielding function is provided, but thermal losses increase due to limited heat resistance of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal lossesVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of ceramic cover element, glass panels, and heat-resistant textile sealing creates a thermally efficient assembly that minimizes heat loss while maintaining structural integrity at high temperatures, directly addressing both energy efficiency and reliability requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If conventional microwave oven doors with open wave choke construction are used, then microwave shielding is provided, but aesthetic appeal is reduced and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wave choke is extracted from the visible door surface and positioned within the door frame structure, covered by the ceramic cover element. This conceals the functional but aesthetically challenging component while maintaining its microwave shielding function, and creates a smooth, cleanable surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables easy cleaning, maintains aesthetic appeal, and ensures safe operation by allowing pyrolytic cleaning at high temperatures while minimizing thermal losses and electromagnetic exposure.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing element is made of a high temperature resistant textile material, and the cover element is made of a high temperature resistant non-metallic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal resistance: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The strong electromagnetic fields of the microwave radiation are a potential threat to the health of the operator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 3

thermal insulation provided by a high-temperature resistant gasket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2949179B1An oven door and a chassis for a microwave oven or an appliance with microwave heating function
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV
  • EP2949179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949179B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an oven door (10) for a microwave oven or an appliance with microwave heating function. The oven door (10) comprises a door frame (22, 24, 26) enclosing said oven door (10) and a number of glass panels (34, 36, 38, 40) inside and/or in front of said door frame (22, 24, 26). The door frame includes a support element (22), a cover element (24) and a wave choke (26). The wave choke (26) is arranged between the support element (22) and the cover element (24). The cover element (24) is fixed or fixable at the support element (22) and forms at least an outer portion of an inner side of the oven door (10). The cover element (24) covers an outer portion of an inner side of an inner glass panel (36). The inner glass panel (36) is clamped between the cover element (24) with its inner side and the support element (22) and/or the wave choke (26) with its outer side. A sealing element (44) is arranged between the cover element (24) and the inner glass panel (36). The sealing element (44) is made of a high temperature resistant textile material. The cover element (24) is made of a high temperature resistant non-metallic material. Further, the present invention relates to a corresponding chassis for the microwave oven or the appliance with microwave heating function.